Waterford ZBA delays decision on sober living facility

Waterford — Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday met for a second time in executive session to discuss an application on behalf of the Stonington Institute that, if approved, will turn a vacant Rope Ferry Road nursing home into a sober living facility for 144 men.

A decision on the application is expected at a special meeting of the zoning board, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 15 in the Town Hall auditorium.

The zoning board was slated to make a decision on the organization’s requested use variance change on Thursday evening but delayed again in favor of examining in more detail the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The board met in its first executive session April 25 to discuss the two federal laws that will have an effect on its decision.

Town attorney Robert Avena said before Thursday’s meeting that the board is still deliberating and wanted to meet again with the legal counsel it has taken in as an expert on the two laws.

Earlier last month, Thomas Londregan, the attorney representing Stonington Behavioral Health Inc., granted the zoning board an additional 45 days to make a decision on the application.